OCT. 28, 2016--Did you know that only 10% of all organizational diversity and inclusion initiatives succeed? The secret to success is not in planning or milestones, but in individual accountability and a commitment to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Did you know that diversity encompasses more than external traits like race, gender, physical disability and age? It also includes less obvious things that make us individuals such as beliefs, personal history and experience, and thought processes.

These are a few things we learned or were reminded of during NOAA's First Annual Diversity Summit, held during the week of October 24. This Summit supports NOAA's Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. Several staff members from OR&R attended the summit, a two-day event aimed at raising awareness, impressing leadership commitment, and inspiring action. NOAA leadership in attendance included Ben Friedman (DUS/O), Eileen Sobeck (AA/NMFS), Russell Callender (AA/NOS), Steve Volz (AA/NESDIS), Craig McLean (AA/OAR), Lois Uccellini (AA/NWS), Adm. Anita Lopez (DAA/OMAO), and Louisa Koch (Director/Office of Education).

For more information contact LaTonya.Burgess@noaa.gov.

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